Question

Define valency by taking examples of silicon and oxygen.

Answer 1

Define valency by taking examples of silicon and oxygen. The valency is the combining capacity of an atom. ... The valency is equal to the number of electrons in the outermost shell (valence shell) of an atom. For example, silicon (atomic number 14) has the following electronic distribution: K = 2, L = 8, M = 4.

Answer 2

Answer:

Definition: Valency is defined as the combining capacity of the element. It is determined by the number of valence shell electrons present in the atom.  

If the number of valence electrons is less than or equal to 4 so the valency is the same as the number of electrons present.  

If the number of valence electrons is more than 4 then the valency is 8-(the number of valence shell electrons).

Example:

(1)Silicon has atomic number 14. The electronic configuration of silicon is 2, 8, 4. The number of valence electrons is 4. So the valency is 4.

(2)Oxygen has an atomic number 8. The electronic configuration is 2, 6. The valency is (8-6)=2.